Published February 25, 2025

Julia Korzen was already looking ahead and aiming higher after she earned third place in the IHSA state wheelchair bowling tournament a year ago. 

“I'd like to learn more new techniques to better my score,” the Elk Grove High School sophomore said at the time. One year later: Mission accomplished. Emphatically. Now a junior, Julia bowled her highest single game and series ever Saturday en route to winning the state championship.

“Winning” borders on understatement. Julia bowled six consistent games ranging from 143 to 180, for a total of 990 – a remarkable 244 pins more than the second-place score and a 200+ improvement on her state score last year.

All of which set the stage for celebration. Police and firefighters escorted Julia’s arrival home to Elk Grove Saturday, and a Monday-morning school assembly saw Julia honored, with staff and EGHS students wearing their green-and-gold “EG Family” T-shirts.

Julia smiled as she acknowledged that she enjoyed it all. “I really liked the assembly and the attention,” she said. I want to thank Coach Melecio and all the coaches for supporting me and believing in me.”

For their part, her coaches couldn’t be prouder of Julia. Coach and school psychologist Christopher Melecio, who works with Julia both as a student and athlete, cited her resilience and determination as success factors. “Seeing her so happy when she’s out there, I can't even put into words how excited I was for Julia.”

Head coach Tim Redel, who began coaching several years ago while working as an aid for another wheelchair athlete, has worked with Julia to improve her release angles and ball rotation, resulting in the increased number of spares that boosted her scores dramatically.

The result, Redel said, was a bowler who carried both skill and confidence into the state tournament. “Saturday morning I asked how she was feeling, and said she was going to be state champion,” Redel said. “So I knew she was in the mindset that she was going to win it, and she went out and did it. She dominated. I’m super proud of her.”

Julia plans to attend Harper College and major in Multimedia. In the meantime, there remains her senior year and a lane of opportunity to further improve her game and, perhaps, add another state title. She’s ready to get back to work.

“I hope to get a 200,” Julia said with a smile. “Or a 300.”